Roku Netflix set top box - Blu-ray Forum

BLU STEAL · 05-23-2008, 12:23 PM

Well I finally recieved my Roku box in the mail. The box is wi-fi capable and was pretty easy to hook up. So far it works like a charm video quality is not bad for streaming over the internet. The movies start within 5 seconds of selecting a movie. You have to log onto your netflix account through pc and put some watch now movies in your instant que. From there what ever is in your que you can select from the box. This has been the best $99 I have spent in a long time. The only gripe i have with the box is that when you select a movie and it starts to load you hear a popping sound through the speakers. If you have this hooked up to your home theater you should turn down the volume so you dont damage your speakers. Once the movie starts its flawless. Last night I broke the box watching tv series like airwolf voltron and the incredible hulk I feel like a kid again. I recomend this to anyone for the small investment you just cant go wrong.

Beta Man · 05-23-2008, 12:32 PM

good to hear..... How good does your High-Speed internet need to be to stream flawlessly????

I have High-Speed, but it's DSL, and I can play COD4 online with no-hiccups, but I'm worried that I'll get this box, and my internet won't be up to par..... I don't really want to download whatever I need to get just to "test it out" on my Laptop before buying the box, but I guess I will if I have to.

BLU STEAL · 05-23-2008, 12:46 PM

You need atleast 1.5mbps to watch instant. And atleast 4 mbps for high quality video and audio. If you go to Roku.com and click on the netflix player go to faqs and scroll down to what kind of broadband connection do I need and there they have bandwidth test sites there.

Beta Man · 05-23-2008, 12:59 PM

I think I have 10 mps

so I should be good to go.

thanks! I'll try out the test-signals.

Chocolatejas · 05-28-2008, 03:30 PM

Anyone else pick up one of these? This may be my June purchase.

davidxiphoid · 05-28-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolatejas

Anyone else pick up one of these? This may be my June purchase.

This sounds really cool but I understand the movie selection is kind of weak at the moment. My biggest pet peeve would be that the streaming isn't even sd dvd PQ. I'm not sure I can look past this aspect of it.

xwingsct · 06-16-2008, 04:56 PM

I just got mine this weekend.
Hook up was really easy. Wireless works like a charm. As soon as the box is connected it looks for an update then it gives you the activation code. Go to Netflix site and activate the box. That's it.

I had mine hooked up via component input at my parents house when I tried it out there and I was impressed with the picture quality. I was watching Heroes season 2 and the picture quality was really good. Almost as charp as DVD but not quite DVD. Throughout the whole movie there's was no pause for buffering at all (may be because they have cable).

I hooked it up via HDMI at my place via wireless and my connection said Good (since it's a little far from my router) and the picture quality bar was still at the highest still get no pause for buffering though. I wish the box comes with external antenna.

The box has the capability of outputting the best from the original source.
some movies look good than the other because not all of them are encoded the same way. The box is HD ready with just a firmware update. I hope Netflix provide HD content soon. Even at 720P it will be like a broadcast quality like (FOX and ABC).
Yes, movies selection is weak but this box is not supposed to replace your mail BD and DVD rental. It's an add on free of charge to your existing account.

I still like my BD , it will never replace my PS3 but it sure does come in handy when I need my movie fix late at night. If you don't like to watch anything unless it's HD then this box is not for you. Wait until Netflix provide HD content.

I hope the box made in U.S. cause I spent my Stimulus $$ for that

and it's worth every pennies.

Rob71 · 06-16-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolatejas

Anyone else pick up one of these? This may be my June purchase.

Mine came last Tuesday, and after about 5 minutes it was up and running. I christened it with Beastmaster followed by Maniac Cop.

I was impressed with the selection of films and TV series, but my tastes are fairly eccentric so YMMV. I use a wired router and have mine hooked up via HDMI. Overall I've been impressed.

Bigdog · 06-16-2008, 08:13 PM

It's to bad that many of the cable internet providers are about to make this box obsolete, unless some of you people do not mind paying insane fees for bandwidth usage. I see more people every month now being contacted by their cable providers that they now will have caps. Looks like im staying with dsl for a good bit longer.

Rob71 · 06-16-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdog

I see more people every month now being contacted by their cable providers that they now will have caps. Looks like im staying with dsl for a good bit longer.

Well, if that happens I'll drop cable for DSL. And still use this box. Seeing as how it'll work with DSL also. And if cable puts caps or limits on usage what makes you think DSL providers won't up their prices also?

phlydude · 01-15-2009, 02:34 PM

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but better to post in an old one than make a new!

After you have had the box for a while, how is it? Did the new update screw things up for you?

I'm seriously looking into this (might get rid of my Oppo 971 to get the $$$ for this) but want to make sure that it is still a good device and you aren't having issues.

Also, did anyone hit cable limits? 250GB seems like a lot of viewing in a month

SellmeyourDVD · 01-15-2009, 03:26 PM

I've never been close to 250gb.

just realized how old the thread was......

05-23-2008, 12:23 PM	#1
BLU STEAL Active Member Member since:Oct 2007	Roku Netflix set top box Well I finally recieved my Roku box in the mail. The box is wi-fi capable and was pretty easy to hook up. So far it works like a charm video quality is not bad for streaming over the internet. The movies start within 5 seconds of selecting a movie. You have to log onto your netflix account through pc and put some watch now movies in your instant que. From there what ever is in your que you can select from the box. This has been the best $99 I have spent in a long time. The only gripe i have with the box is that when you select a movie and it starts to load you hear a popping sound through the speakers. If you have this hooked up to your home theater you should turn down the volume so you dont damage your speakers. Once the movie starts its flawless. Last night I broke the box watching tv series like airwolf voltron and the incredible hulk I feel like a kid again. I recomend this to anyone for the small investment you just cant go wrong.

06-16-2008, 04:56 PM	#7
xwingsct Senior Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 3	I just got mine this weekend. Hook up was really easy. Wireless works like a charm. As soon as the box is connected it looks for an update then it gives you the activation code. Go to Netflix site and activate the box. That's it. I had mine hooked up via component input at my parents house when I tried it out there and I was impressed with the picture quality. I was watching Heroes season 2 and the picture quality was really good. Almost as charp as DVD but not quite DVD. Throughout the whole movie there's was no pause for buffering at all (may be because they have cable). I hooked it up via HDMI at my place via wireless and my connection said Good (since it's a little far from my router) and the picture quality bar was still at the highest still get no pause for buffering though. I wish the box comes with external antenna. The box has the capability of outputting the best from the original source. some movies look good than the other because not all of them are encoded the same way. The box is HD ready with just a firmware update. I hope Netflix provide HD content soon. Even at 720P it will be like a broadcast quality like (FOX and ABC). Yes, movies selection is weak but this box is not supposed to replace your mail BD and DVD rental. It's an add on free of charge to your existing account. I still like my BD , it will never replace my PS3 but it sure does come in handy when I need my movie fix late at night. If you don't like to watch anything unless it's HD then this box is not for you. Wait until Netflix provide HD content. I hope the box made in U.S. cause I spent my Stimulus $$ for that and it's worth every pennies. Last edited by xwingsct; 06-16-2008 at 05:03 PM.

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05-23-2008, 12:32 PM	#2
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	good to hear..... How good does your High-Speed internet need to be to stream flawlessly???? I have High-Speed, but it's DSL, and I can play COD4 online with no-hiccups, but I'm worried that I'll get this box, and my internet won't be up to par..... I don't really want to download whatever I need to get just to "test it out" on my Laptop before buying the box, but I guess I will if I have to.

05-23-2008, 12:46 PM	#3
BLU STEAL Active Member Member since:Oct 2007	You need atleast 1.5mbps to watch instant. And atleast 4 mbps for high quality video and audio. If you go to Roku.com and click on the netflix player go to faqs and scroll down to what kind of broadband connection do I need and there they have bandwidth test sites there.

05-23-2008, 12:59 PM	#4
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I think I have 10 mps so I should be good to go. thanks! I'll try out the test-signals.

05-28-2008, 03:30 PM	#5
Chocolatejas Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NH Blu-ray collection:118 Trading Score:15	Anyone else pick up one of these? This may be my June purchase.

06-16-2008, 08:13 PM	#9
Bigdog Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:14 Blu-ray reviews:1	It's to bad that many of the cable internet providers are about to make this box obsolete, unless some of you people do not mind paying insane fees for bandwidth usage. I see more people every month now being contacted by their cable providers that they now will have caps. Looks like im staying with dsl for a good bit longer.

01-15-2009, 02:34 PM	#11
phlydude Power Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Winter Garden, FL USA Playstation ID: phlydude Blu-ray collection:132 Trading Score:1	Sorry to resurrect an old thread but better to post in an old one than make a new! After you have had the box for a while, how is it? Did the new update screw things up for you? I'm seriously looking into this (might get rid of my Oppo 971 to get the $$$ for this) but want to make sure that it is still a good device and you aren't having issues. Also, did anyone hit cable limits? 250GB seems like a lot of viewing in a month

01-15-2009, 03:26 PM	#12
SellmeyourDVD Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2008 Blu-ray collection:125 Trading Score:11	I've never been close to 250gb. just realized how old the thread was......

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